Situation of Gürkan Türkoglu critical

In a brief statement released on 30 April, the People’s Law Office reported that Gürkan Türkoğlu’s condition had deteriorated at around 8:00 am.

Gürkan Türkoglu went on an indefinite hunger strike for 265 days to protest against the systematic isolation conditions he and others faced at Antalya’s High Security Prison, and to demand a transfer to another prison. After he and two other prisoners on hunger strike — Tahsin Sagaltici and Hüseyin Özen — were taken to Antalya City Hospital against their will, Gürkan was subjected to forced medical intervention last week.

Shortly afterwards, amid loud protests and solidarity, their demands were accepted and the hunger strike was suspended. While the other protesters were in a good condition, Gürkan continued to struggle for his life.

Yesterday, his lawyers announced that he had been put on a respirator, that his blood values were falling, and that his condition was deteriorating.

Further updates will be provided as the situation develops.